Trophy Fishing on the Sunshine Coast

Sports fishing is becoming more and more popular among many people today. You may be new to sports fishing and you therefore do not know what varieties of fish can be caught in Sunshine Coast. We can help you learn the different types of fish that can be caught off the Sunshine Coast and up and down the Queensland coast and the exact location you can find them. The Sunshine Coast is one of the most popular destinations for sports fishing and you should therefore have a little background knowledge.

As mentioned above, the Sunshine Coast, and Queensland in general, is one of the best places for sports fishing in the world today. It is therefore common to find that many people who are interested in sports fishing will visit the area many times. This is because the Sunshine Coast has different microclimates, geographical areas and currents that have a great impact on the fishing season. Lack of proper preparation may therefore lead you to have the worst and most terrible fishing experience. This is the reason why we have compiled a list of 6 important tips to consider when you are packing for a sports fishing trip to the Sunshine Coast.

The time of the year

Because ocean currents and water temperatures vary from year to year there is no exact science for working out the best time of the year to go sports fishing, however there is enough data that highlights there are better months than others for catching some of the trophy fish species that are present on the Queensland coast.

In general, here on the Sunshine Coast the winter season is more successful for our common table fish. This is the most ideal time to go after the bottom reef dwelling species which includes fish species like Pearl Perch and Snapper.

When the climate starts to warm up and the warmer blue ocean currents start pushing down the Queensland east coast the fast fish species like Marlin, Tuna, Sail Fish, Wahoo, and Mackerel begin to relocate close to the coastline, where they prey on the plentiful schools of smaller-sized bait fish that get together on the nearby reef systems in the months of December through March.

This is the right time to dig out your fishing tackle, and rig your skirts and hard body lures, as they will generate great results when the surface dwelling fish species have an appetite.

You can therefore make a trip to the Sunshine Coast during your family summer vacation and let your family take part in other activities as you go sports fishing.

The species of fish you want to catch

The fortunate thing about the Sunshine Coast is that you are able to catch billfish, such as marlin and sailfish throughout the entire year.

The temperature of the Sunshine Coast is such that it is located right next to the warmer currents that turtles use and billfish like Marlin will therefore stay around all year round.

You are likely to catch blue and black marlin on the Sunshine Coast. The weight of these fish will generally be around the 10-60kg mark. It’s a fantastic experience having a 60kg billfish on the end of your line taking 100’s of metres of fishing line in any given run…you’ll remember the feeling for the rest of your life.

The experience of the captain on your fishing charter vessel

Knowledge on the local regions and areas is very important when you are going charter fishing and it often determines the success of the expedition. When you are selecting your fishing charter ask the person who you are booking with to provide you with an overview of the experience of the fishing charter Captain. Ensuring you go fishing with an experienced Captain will make your fishing experience more memorable and successful. This way, your only job is to catch fish.

The locations you intend to visit

There are specific areas on the Sunshine Coast where you stand a better chance of catching trophy-glass fish like Marlins, Wahoo and Tuna. This is where the experience of the Captain comes into play.

In general you’ll head 10-20 nautical miles seaward off the coast of Mooloolaba. You’ll then start to troll your lures until such time your line is hit.

The depth of the water will be approximately 50-60m and the ocean temperature will be between 22-26 degrees celsius. It’s at these water temperatures that the schools of baitfish are affected.
One pro tip for you is if you ever see frothing water or you see birds hanging around you should troll your lures in a location that is on the edge of the baitfish.

The condition of the equipment and boat

Your Captain should have experience fishing the Sunshine Coast waters. They should also be supplying you with the best equipment and the very best in fishing charter boats that are suitable for charter fishing.

It is sad that there are many cases where tourists have been ripped off when booking fishing charters. They end up paying a lot of money for cheap quality boats and equipment. Sometimes, they even end up in the wrong destinations and this translates to unsuccessful fishing expeditions and disappointment.

Fishing package cost

The cost of the fishing package depends on the location and the time you want to book your charter. Fishing Charter companies should offer you the best and most affordable prices and some companies may offer discounts for multi-day trips and group fishing.

Sports fishermen have been achieving great catches on the Sunshine Coast for decades. However, it does not mean that you are 100% guaranteed that you will catch the largest fish. However, the fishing charter company you book should guarantee you quality services and should have testimonials from previously satisfied clients.

Conclusion

So if you are looking for the most memorable fishing expedition it’s highly recommended you come to the Sunshine Coast and book a fishing charter and hopefully you get to catch one of the top trophy-glass fishing species.